2013-2014 Official NBA Thread

[Al Bundy]

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/ey...4-nba-schedule

With the Schedule released today, I figured it would be a good time to start the thread.

The NBA released its 2013-2014 schedule on Tuesday in a televised special on NBATV alongside a release on NBA.com and its team websites.

The season kicks off Tuesday, October 29th as Miami hosts the Chicago Bulls in Derrick Rose's expected return to the court. Then it's the Battle of LA as the Lakers host the Clippers. It could be the return of Kobe Bryant from his Achilles injury he suffered last spring, and will be the regular season debut of Doc Rivers as the Clippers' newest head coach.

It's a massive gamble by the NBA, considering Rose's struggles returning from his ACL injury suffered in the 2012 playoffs and Bryant's more recent Achilles surgery. If those players were to miss the opening night, it's going to make for a very underwhelming opening night of basketball, regardless of the markets involved for ratings.

Opening week continues on Thursday with the Bulls hosting the Knicks in what is likely to be Rose's return to the United Center in the regular season. The Knicks will be on a back to back, opening the season on Wednesday vs. the Bucks. Thursday night the revamped Warriors visit the Clippers, who are clearly the hot team, with two national appearances in the first three days.

Opening week concludes Friday with the Nets' home opener vs. the Heat, followed by another Lakers home game, this time vs. the defending Western Conference Champion San Antonio Spurs.

On the NBA's biggest regular season day, Christmas Day, starts with the Nets hosting Chicago, followed by the scoring-champ rematch of Carmelo Anthony vs. Kevin Durant as the Thunder visit Madison Square Garden to face the Knicks. Then in the main event, the Heat play the Lakers at Staples Center. Dwight Howard joins the Christmas fun as the Rockets travel to San Antonio to face the Spurs. And in the night cap, the Clippers visit Oracle Arena to take on Steph Curry and the Warriors.

Monday, January 20th continues the NBA's tradition of making Martin Luther King Jr. Day a huge basketball event, with four games on the schedule. Brooklyn travels across the bridge to take on the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, followed by the Grizzlies hosting the Pelicans, the Lakers taking on the Bulls at the United Center, and the Pacers facing the Warriors in the bay to cap off the night.

The Lakers first meet Dwight Howard on November 13th in Houston, and again on January 14th. They first host Howard at Staples Center on February 19th, and again on April 8th.

The NBA Finals rematches occur on January 26th in Miami and March 6th in San Antonio. Will Gregg Popovich rest his starters? It's not a back to back, as the Spurs face Atlanta on the 24th, but it is in the middle of a three-game road trip.

Despite the departure of Dwight Howard, the Lakers keep the max number of nationally televised (non-NBA TV) games in the league at 25, tied with the Knicks and Heat. The Clippers have 21 nationally televised games, while the defending Western Champs, the Spurs, only have 15. The Bulls jump to 24 national games, with the league banking on Rose's return to carry audiences. The Thunder also feature on national TV 24 times.

Houston, with newly-signed Dwight Howard and James Harden, feature 20 games on national television, a pretty low number given the star power. The Mavericks won the NBA title in 2011, and now have just eight national TV appearances. The Warriors meanwhile jump to 17 games, while Eastern Conference finalist Indiana only appears 10 time next season. To put that in perspective, the Denver Nuggets appear 13 times.

The rest of the schedule is at the link.

[TEX]

Originally Posted by okcchief

The Warriors are legit. I'm not sure why people arent putting them ahead of the Rockets and Clippers. The only concern with them is injuries which is a very real concern.

Because in a series with either, I think they will have problems.

[L.A. Chieffan]

Michael Carter Williams...damn rook

[KC native]

Spurs held the Grizzlies to 7 points in the 2nd quarter last night. GO SPURS GO!

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

I don't know how you feel okchief but I think the window may be closed temporarily for OKC unless they get another top player.

Also it is my understanding they didn't have to trade either one they would have just had to pay the luxury tax which let's be honest they should have. You don't get many chances to be a dominant team in the NBA.

I tend to agree. They dont need a Harden level player though they just need some guys who can shoot from outside.

The thought is they hit free agency after this year because they dont want to go over 3 years in a row because the penalty increases.

They were the top seed in the West last year until went Russ went down though. They just need a shooter to replace Martin, and they'll be fine. The Westbrook injury would have held them back even with Harden obviously. The trade still sucked however. Their hope was Lamb could be that shooter, but at this point he's not. If he can't pick it up soon they'll have to find someone who can do the job.

I agree with the short window though. You have to surround them with players who can make plays. Otherwise in 3 years KD might jet, and I won't blame him. Not winning a Championship with Durant and Westbrook would be a HUGE fail.

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by TEX

Because in a series with either, I think they will have problems.

The Clippers are soft. Maybe Doc changes that mentality.

The Howard acquisition is overrated IMO. They already had a good defensive center which is what Howard really is. He's never going to post up and dominate. He's also a bitch that goes in a shell when things get tough. He only makes them marginally better IMO.

Considering current rosters I like the Spurs in the West followed by Golden State.

The Clips, OKC and Houston are going to have to show me some serious growth before they are in the discussion.

[CaliforniaChief]

Well that was a fun season! #lakers

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by TEX

I am a ROCKETS fan and THAT trade turned the franchise around.Without it, Howard does not come to Houston. If they stay free from injury, the Rockets can contend for a title for years to come!

I agree and Houston gave up absolutely nothing to get him. Okc traded a young top 10 player for nothing. Outside of presti, anybody could see that trade was a failure.

The worst part is it didn't have to happen. For those that really want to win, the luxury tax doesn't mean that much.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

I agree and Houston gave up absolutely nothing to get him. Okc traded a young top 10 player for nothing. Outside of presti, anybody could see that trade was a failure.

The worst part is it didn't have to happen. For those that really want to win, the luxury tax doesn't mean that much.

What are you gonna do pay all three? Theres no reason to keep all three. They jusy coulda got more outta that trade. Ibaka is just as important as Harden, at least for a team that already has scoring like the Thunder

[TEX]

Originally Posted by okcchief

The Clippers are soft. Maybe Doc changes that mentality.

The Howard acquisition is overrated IMO. They already had a good defensive center which is what Howard really is. He's never going to post up and dominate. He's also a bitch that goes in a shell when things get tough. He only makes them marginally better IMO.

Considering current rosters I like the Spurs in the West followed by Golden State.

The Clips, OKC and Houston are going to have to show me some serious growth before they are in the discussion.

You're entitled to your opinion, but the Howard trade is not overrated. He doesn't have to be a monster offensive low post player (but I bet Olajuwon teaches him something) with the players around him. All he's got to do is be somewhat of a threat, clean the glass and be active around the basket and he'll get his. The beauty part is the Rockets STILL have Asik. When he spells Howard, they still have very capable backup. Play them both together and the lineup is HUGE with enough smalls and or scorers to be used as needed.

Do you really think the Spurs and Warriors are deeper than Houston? Maybe the Warriors are as deep but the Spurs are a different case all together because they're old and it shows every season. What depth they have needs to be counted on more so than the others.

Did you check out Howard's line last night? He had 17 pts and 27 boards, and a couple of blocks. If you can count on that point-wise and half that board wise, all year from him - the Rockets have all the other pieces and will likely represent the West in the Finals.

Fair enough about needing to show you more, however, yours is one of the few discussion they're not in, but in time I bet they will be...

[KevB]

Darryl Morey, the Rockets GM, tweeted the following last night : All your rebounds are belong to us.

Hilarious.

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by TEX

You're entitled to your opinion, but the Howard trade is not overrated. He doesn't have to be a monster offensive low post player (but I bet Olajuwon teaches him something) with the players around him. All he's got to do is be somewhat of a threat, clean the glass and be active around the basket and he'll get his. The beauty part is the Rockets STILL have Asik. When he spells Howard, they still have very capable backup. Play them both together and the lineup is HUGE with enough smalls and or scorers to be used as needed.

Do you really think the Spurs and Warriors are deeper than Houston? Maybe the Warriors are as deep but the Spurs are a different case all together because they're old and it shows every season. What depth they have needs to be counted on more so than the others.

Did you check out Howard's line last night? He had 17 pts and 27 boards, and a couple of blocks. If you can count on that point-wise and half that board wise, all year from him - the Rockets have all the other pieces and will likely represent the West in the Finals.

Fair enough about needing to show you more, however, yours is one of the few discussion they're not in, but in time I bet they will be...

Stats have never been a problem with Howard. A stat line vs the Bobcats means nothing to me. Time will tell, but Howard has always been selfish. If the Rockets succeed it will be Harden making the plays. I like Houston's roster fine, but like Golden State and San Antonio's better. Doesn't mean I'm right, but it's definately my opinion.

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by BWillie

What are you gonna do pay all three? Theres no reason to keep all three. They jusy coulda got more outta that trade. Ibaka is just as important as Harden, at least for a team that already has scoring like the Thunder

This.

The only problem was the return. He felt he had to rush into it, snd he should have waited.

[-King-]

New Delay of game rule just slows down the game even more. They really have to change it.

[KevB]

Originally Posted by okcchief

This.

The only problem was the return. He felt he had to rush into it, snd he should have waited.

If they knew Harden would be this good, they should have kept all three. How could anyone think it's a bad thing to have 3 of the top 12 players in the league, all three playing different positions? Presti missed on his projection for how good Harden would become.

[Shogun]

I knew if I talked shit about Bargnani he would have a solid game tonight.